Sorry sorry sorry for such a long wait... i have a hectic work schedule... but hope you're still all bearing wth me...i just love writing when i can! Please r & r when you get a chance! :-)

Kelly's mop bucket was dirty - she needed to go and change the water. She'd been shown the standpipe in the yard outside and instructions on mopping out the toilets and the dining area. She carried the bucket and mop back through to the rear of the building she was in and pushed the door open that led outside. Well at least she was getting some fresh air and an opportunity to gather information on the layout of the place. There was a high wall running around the perimeter of the yard, however, so she could not see much, except the tops of pine trees some distance away. Also, running along the top of the wall were rolls of barbed wire. Now this was more prison-like, she mused. Like the locked front entrance, she really didn't think the wire was in place for the security of the buildings occupants. And as Kelly stood, she noticed again how quiet the surroundings were. She set the bucket and mop down and walked up to the wall, sizing it up. Then she reach up and attempted to climb a little way up to peek over the edge, but she only succeeded in scratching her hands on the wire and banging her knees painfully against the brick. She jumped back and chided herself then walked back to the bucket, emptied it down the drain under the pipe, then took it back to the wall, placed it upside down and tried again. It gave Kelly a little more height, but not much. Again, she felt the wire barbs nicking the skin over her knuckles, but she was determined to get a look of what lay beyond. She took a little breath and heaved herself upwards again, and managed to catch a brief glimpse before she felt a barb dig too deep into the top of her hand as she gripped for purchase on the top of the wall, and she had to let go. She winced in pain and dropped to her feet, sucking her knuckle. Well, from what she could tell, the place was located in the middle of a forest. Just trees, trees and more trees. No point in trying to guess where they were, they could be anywhere. She looked at her knuckle, where the skin had caught and decided she needed to clean up the wound, small though it was, in case it got infected. She didn't want to arouse any suspicion from the 'brothers' as to how she might have hurt herself.

"Sister Garrett!"

Kelly jumped a little and turned to see Brother Marcus and another brother standing watching her from the doorway. How long had they been there? She pulled the sleeve over her hand to try and hide the cut, but brother Marcus's face told Kelly that they had already seen more than was good.

"I - I'm sorry brother, I just wanted to take a look…" Kelly held her hands out placatingly.

"Be quiet!" Brother Marcus admonished. The brother beside him watched Kelly intently. Kelly suddenly felt defiant. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic being locked up in this place all day.

"Look, I don't know why…" she began again, and yet again, brother Marcus held up his hand. "You will be quiet! DO not speak unless I ask you to!" He said, coming towards Kelly. His aid accompanied him. This time Kelly decided she wasn't going to shut up.

"Well I'm sorry but I'm not going to wait until you ask me! Where is this place anyway? Why are the doors locked all the time? What is the barb wire fencing up for… to stop us breaking out?" Kelly asked incredulously. Brother Marcus' face became red with agitation as Kelly continued to voice her opinions.

He approached Kelly and stood looking at her with a mixture of shock and something bordering on outright rage. Kelly stopped speaking then, wondering if she had gone too far. She looked down at her shoes in a small show of guilt and remorse. Kelly, quit it! She told herself. You need to buy a little time. She lifted her head a little timidly, to see brother Marcus still looking at her, as if trying to calm himself down.

"Sister Garrett…" brother Marcus finally found his voice. "You will be reproved for your blatant rebelliousness! Disobedience will not be tolerated in the lords sanctuary!"

Kelly looked up fully. Reproved? Now just what did that mean?

Then the other brother took her arm and began to lead her back towards the door. Kelly winced. His grip was like iron.

"Ow, you're hurting me!" She complained, as he led her back into the gloomy building. The brother spoke for the first time in hushed tones, as Brother Marcus followed them.

"You would be wise to obey our lord, sister. Otherwise, it will not go well with you." Kelly looked at him, but he kept his face forward, a neutral expression guarding his emotions. Kelly's alarm bells were ringing loudly now. Was this perhaps how Alda came unstuck? Kelly decided not to protest any further, but to go along with the brother to wherever he intended to take her. Maybe this was how she would find some answers. Did Alda do something…or indeed just say something to upset brother Marcus? Maybe he was more crazy than Kelly gave him credit for. Did brother Marcus actually think he was the Lord? Was he that crazy? These thoughts and more marched themselves through Kelly's mind as she was led along an unfamiliar corridor and then down a few small steps and into a much smaller kitchen than was up near the dining area. She wondered if this building had once been a boarding school…maybe this was where some paid workers ate. She didn't have much chance to look around and contemplate more, however, as brother Marcus opened a door on the other side of the room and motioned to his aid, who propelled her forwards. The room was unlit, Kelly realised at once, and tried to back up.

"No please.. You can't…" But Kelly had left it too late… she was pushed violently forward into the dark, and the door was slammed shut behind her. Kelly immediately found herself falling in the darkness, a yelp of fright escaping her lips as she fell. Then seconds later, she landed awkwardly on something kind of soft, and rolled from the impact and lay stunned, catching her breath, hoping her wrist wasn't broken. It hurt - a lot. She sat up, cradling her wrist, moving it a little, wincing as she did so. No, it wasn't broken…most likely sprained though. Damn. She did not need this. Even though her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, she could see nothing. Wherever she was, it was in pitch blackness. It was colder - and a little damp, she thought. And there was a strange odour in the air…something chemical. Kelly shuddered. But the shudder was not borne from the lack of heating. This was bad. This was no run-of-the-mill religious order. She cursed herself again for shooting her mouth off. A lion was pawing at the door again, wanting to get out and roar. No! She took a deep breath and exhaled. Calm down Kelly, you are not a child any more. You're just in a room with the lights off, is all. She crawled back to where she thought she had landed, and found the mattress that she had landed on - and bounced off. It didn't feel too clean. Why would it? She wondered how many other girls had been tossed in here just for asking if they could go to the jane! She sat and leant her back up against the wall that the mattress had been placed at. So, let's see what we have so far, Kelly put her mind to good use to keep the lion quiet.

A weird religious cult that is mainly made of up women. A male hierarchy. A brother in charge who mis-applies scripture - but then don't all crazy cult leaders? And then there's Colleen and sister Clayton. She really needed to have a talk with Colleen and find out what went on around here. Too bad you got yourself locked up huh Kelly - nice move! And sister Clayton - what was going on with her? The woman was old enough to know better - why would she want to get involved in something like this? Kelly mentally shrugged. Who knew? Maybe the woman had a breakdown or something…but that obviously didn't go for all the other girls in here. And what was Colleens story? Kelly pondered the answers to these questions. And the question of their whereabouts. She tried to think of anywhere around L.A. that advertised itself as some kind of holy 'sanctuary', but she couldn't come up with anything. She knew there were many places of worship, espousing many different doctrines and faiths, but she couldn't think of anywhere this big around L.A. The place could be in some remote border region of California - or even another state. Kelly sighed. So far, her money was on brother Marcus. Mrs Limardo might not need proof if Kelly just pointed a finger, but Kelly had to have proof. Nothing felt right here. Nothing at all. Whenever she went into a place of worship, she always felt somehow at peace. There was always a feeling of…well… just that - peace. She felt nothing but the creeps, here. Nothing at all seemed spiritual or holy or whatever you wanted to call it. It all had felt wrong. And now some measure of violence was being added to the concoction... Kelly wondered about brother Marcus. What was his game? What was he getting out of this sanctuary? Was he really just a crazy religionist who thought himself some kind of holy man guided by God? Or did he have an alternative agenda? Kelly's thoughts whirred on, yet she felt tired. She gave out a small yawn. She could be here a while. Maybe it was as well to try and sleep - pass the time a little. She shucked down onto to mattress carefully, mindful of her injury, and rolled onto her back. Her wrist throbbed, but she actually felt a little light headed. Had she bumped her head when she landed? She didn't think so. She could hear a faint hum of some kind small machinery at work somewhere close by. Maybe she was next door to the buildings electrical equipment storage. If a sledge hammer miraculously appeared at her side, maybe she could try knocking a hole through the wall and make an escape. She smiled in the dark. Did God perform miracles these days? Like when He parted the Red Sea? She didn't quite think so, but she did think he had plans. She drifted into a light sleep, despite her wrist, imagining all kinds of miracles that God might do to set the world to rights.

The two men in the black car watched the entrance to the apartments where Sabrina lived. They were parked a little distance away but able to see everyone coming and going, quite clearly. As yet, they had not seen Kris Munro emerge from the apartment, after having watched her and John Bosley arrive the previous night. They had tailed them from the hospital over to the apartments and seen Mr Bosley drop Miss Munro off. He was then followed home, whilst the apartments had been watched all night.

The bigger of the two men shifted in his seat to find a more comfortable position. He hated these tail jobs, it irritated his back, but a job was a job. His accomplice checked his watch.

"Almost nine-thirty." He said, also shuffling in his seat. "Coffee?"

"Sure."

A flask and two cups were produced from the floor of the car and the men continued the watch in silence, as they drank.

Presently, a chubby looking dark haired woman wearing a large hat appeared out of the building, just as a cab pulled up outside. The woman had a large black expensive-looking poodle with her. The men watched, half interested, as the cab driver got out of the car, then appeared to pause when he saw the dog. As they looked on, a tallish yet stout man appeared and joined the woman. The man was wearing a western-style suit with all the trimmings, and a Stetson to round it off. He had grey hair tied back in a pony tail under his hat, and sunglasses on. His grey moustache was noticeable also. The two men in the black car looked at each other.

"That guy went in the apartments yesterday, didn't he?" The larger man looked back to the entrance.

"Uh-huh." His accomplice agreed. They both then fell silent as they watched the little party of people at the entrance.

The cab driver was shaking his head and gesturing at the dog, apparently not wanting to take the animal in his cab. But then the woman became very upset and began to loudly voice her opinions to the cab driver and then the man - her husband most likely. The men watched, smirking a little as the woman's' protestations got louder and louder as the cab driver held his hands up. They could hear her from where they sat, she was screeching so loudly.

"What a mouth!" The smaller man said.

The other nodded. "Yeah, I'd take the dog and leave her!"

As they watched and commented, the stout man produced his wallet and handed the cab driver some notes, at which the driver then shrugged and nodded his head, and the small party got into the cab and it drove away.

The smaller man watched it go. "Poor guy! "

"Yeah!" His accomplice laughed, finishing his coffee. "Poor mutt!"

The taxi continued its journey across the city, the occupants in the back checking behind every so often, to see if they were being followed.

Bosley wiggled his index finger in his ear. "My ears' still ringing, Kris - I never knew you could shout so loud!" He exclaimed.

Kris laughed. "Yeah! I used to yell at Jill a lot when we were kids - I usually got what I wanted!" She smirked as she recalled a memory.

"Yeah, well it looked like it worked this time too - I think we left them behind…" He checked back over his shoulder again through the back window.

"…whoever 'they' are." Kris finished. She patted the big poodle that was sat in between herself and Bosley, panting and watching the traffic speed by. She ruffled its ears. "Good dog, good boy!" The dog turned and licked her hand then continued to pant. Kris shuffled uncomfortably in her padding. She knew how the dog felt " I need to get out of this costume!"

Bosley looked at Kris. "You know, you suit dark hair!" Kris scowled at him. He grinned, then hitched up one of his trouser legs to reveal a mans boot with about a four inch heel. "Ouch, these aren't nice!" He grimaced. "I don't know how you ladies do it!"

Kris smirked again. "Practice, Bos, practice." She took the hat off, then the wig of dark hair, and ruffled her own blond locks back into place. "Better. So we catch a flight up to Sacramento, check out the bar where Alda Limardo was found…then what?"

Bosley was busy removing his moustache, which wasn't coming away too easily. "I don't know yet Kris." He said with slightly gritted teeth. "Ow. Guess we'll have to play it by ear" He then smiled at his own joke. "But just not my ear, okay?"

Kris grinned. "Okay Bos." She thought for a moment then spoke up. "I wonder how long your 'double' will be able to keep up his act."

"Oh Charlie was very confident of this mans abilities. If Charlie says don't worry about it - then I don't worry about it."

"Yeah." Kris sighed and looked out of the window. Bosley looked over at her.

"Kris - we're going to find Kelly…and Sabrina is going to be okay." He tried to sound convincing, but he himself was very worried. Kris looked back at him a gave a small smile of acknowledgement.

"Yeah." Was all she could manage, again.

They trailed around town for a while in the cab to be absolutely positive they weren't being followed, then they dropped the dog back off at a pets-for-rent place Bosley had come up with the idea of. The dog was more than happy to be out of the stuffy cab and Bosley was more than happy not to have it panting away and drooling on his suit. Then they headed to the airport and caught the next available flight up the coast. It took almost two hours flying time and by the time they picked up a rental car, it was well after two in the afternoon. As they drove out of the car lot of the rental office at the airport, Kris looked down at the information she had regarding the bar where Alda Limardo was found. She adjusted her sunglasses as Bosley drove, following Kris's directions.

"It's called Mickey's…" She reminded Bosley. "Off 39th Street, just off the El Dorado Road." Bosley nodded. "Right."

They drove on for another twenty minutes before finding the bar. Bosley parked up and he and Kris got out and looked around, both wondering how someone like Alda had ended up in a backstreet place like this, so many miles away from her family. They looked at each other questioningly before going into the side entrance of the small and gloomy smoke filled tavern. Bosley was still in his western suit but had removed the finishing touches of his disguise, namely his wig and moustache. He had also changed into a more comfortably smaller heeled boot. Kris was also changed into a pair of cream coloured pants and a white short sleeved blouse, thankful to be out of the heavy padding she had donned previously. A few customers gave them a wary glance as they approached the bar, then resumed their low conversations and general chit chat. A young bar tender wandered over and looked the couple up and down, unsure of what to make of the strangers.

"Hi folks, what'll it be?" He asked, pleasantly enough.

"Oh Hi - uh, two diet sodas?" Bosley said as he and Kris sat on stools. "By the way, uh, I wonder if you could help us out with a little information?" He added.

The bar tender turned back. "I can try - what do you need?" He was perhaps in his early twenties, with shoulder length blond hair but still fresh faced enough to suggest some immaturity. Kris took note.

"We're private investigators… " Bosley lowered his voice, "what can you tell me about the girl found dead here a little while ago?"

The young mans eyes widened and he looked nervous and fidgety. "Look, man, I don't know nothin'! I told the cops and I'm telling you…I don't know anything!" He began to back off, but Kris then put her hand on the bar and leaned over, conspiratorially. "Hey, it's okay, we're not suggesting anything…" she looked behind her then brought her attention back to the young man in front of her. "…we're just after a little information." She gave the bar man a beguiling smile to try set him at ease. He looked at Kris and then back at Bosley, who coughed slightly and looked over at Kris. Kris continued.

"My name's Kris… we're not here to investigate you… Mr…?"

"Craig…" Craig supplied, watching them, still nervous.

"Okay Craig, well like my colleague says…we're just trying to find out what happened to the girl here…we're not working for the police … we're just trying to locate a friend who's disappeared. Can you tell us anything?" Kris put on her little lost look in earnest. "Can you help us?"

"Hey Craig! You gonna serve me or stand yappin' all day?" A man further down the bar was getting impatient.

"Sure Jaz-man, sorry…just coming!" Craig abruptly left Kris and Bosley standing while he went off to see to his regular customers needs. Kris rolled her eyes at Bosley.

"What?" Bosley replied to Kris's obvious unease.

Kris gave him a look that Bosley read just fine… size nines! He got the picture. Even though they had not been served their drinks, Bosley and Kris waited patiently for Craig to find time for them. They didn't have long to wait, as the bar was almost empty. He returned, with their sodas, setting them on the bar.

"That'll be 60 cents Sir"

Bosley placed the change on the bar and looked at the man expectantly.

"Look, all I know is, I came into work as normal…"

"When…?" Bosley interjected.

"Uh, two weeks ago… I think…yeah, two weeks ago on Tuesday… " Craig looked back at a local ski resort calendar hung up behind the bar to confirm his thinking.

Bosley looked at him. "and…?"

"…And … a half hour into my shift and all hell broke loose!" Craig exclaimed. "I went out back to take out some garbage…and there she was! I swear - that's all I know! I heard she belonged to some cooky religious group in the mountains, but that's it, I swear!" He held his arms out in a gesture of innocence. "I told the cops everything I know - go ask them!"

Kris put her hand on the bar again. "Wait - where in the mountains is this religious group?"

Craig shrugged. "I don't know, it's just what I heard! Look I'm sorry, I gotta job to keep!" He hurried off, looking busy as he went.

Kris and Bosley looked at each other restlessly then made their way out of the bar. As they walked over to their car, Kris spoke up.

"After we've contacted the local police, maybe we could try asking around a few churches…" She looked at Bosley. "Maybe someone knows something of what's going off up in the mountains?"

Bosley fished the car keys out of his jacket pocket at they approached the car. "It's worth a try… we're running out of ideas…" He replied despondently.

Kris nodded as she walked around to the passenger door, then she looked directly at Bosley. "What if Kelly's running out of time, Bos?"